The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has delivered the warning to a parliamentary inquiry reviewing the performance and integrity of Australia’s visa review tribunal.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has warned unaddressed processing backlogs at Australia’s Administrative Appeals Tribunal risk eroding public confidence in the nation’s asylum system.
"For some, it will likely lead to a deterioration of physical and mental health over time, for which concessions and accommodations will need to be made," its submission said. Over the most recent reporting period, this included the AAT receiving 10,521 lodgements relating to asylum cases in 2020-21, but only finalising 5,558 cases.
“Within this context, the AAT strives to continually improve how it delivers effective and efficient review services and to promote public trust and confidence in its decisions.” In its submission, the UNHCR recognised efforts by the AAT to provide “high-quality merits review” on decisions and praised “continuing efforts” to address its backlog of cases.
“These issues need urgent attention in order to restore integrity, public trust, and the rule of law to the AAT."
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